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Imperiled Rhino

Zimbabwe's Matopos National Park had 86 white and 36 black rhinos ten years ago. Poachers have reduced these numbers to only 9 white 17 black rhinos today. These numbers say it all. The park's oldest white rhino, Gumboot, was killed by poachers just two weeks before I took this picture of Swazi 2, his horn cut off to help protect him from poaching.
If we do not act now to save them from poaching, we will be the generation responsible for the extinction of the rhino in the wild.

People say they don't understand the purpose of poaching. But most negative human indulgences involve doing whatever you can do gain as much money as you can. These people obviously don't understand the consequences of killing such a species and it sickens me. This is such a powerful photo by Richard Young and also a very hard one to capture. Motion capture is hard while the animal is moving. Especially after such pressure just after this appened. So powerful, well done.

Well after the elephant and the rhino come the lions. They are now finding some medicinal value in the bones of lions. When and where will it ever stop.. one day the only animals you will see are those in zoos or stuffed ones. How sad is that. Still a brilliant photo.

So much to say. As a Vet I am saddened by the poaching. As a Human I am saddened by the slaughter of innocent people around the world. I am appalled by Americas refusal to enforce gun laws in their own country, arguably the most civilized country in the world, which thereby sets a poor example to the world. Conceivably their is an argument for the poachers in that most of them are very poor. I look to the words of John Lennon when he said "and then the world can live as one" but worry that we have a long way to go.

It seems Zimbabwe's government is totally incapable saving these remaining Rhinos in this supposed 'National-Park'. Either they are lacking the necessary funds to protect these magnificent beasts or are disinterested in doing so. The poachers appear to be unstoppable and when the remaining Rhinos are wiped out other species will be slaughtered to extinction. It's a pathetic, sorry situation all around and a sad, sad day for the human-race that has say good-bye to our fellow earth inhabitants forever .

Beautiful and poetic. His low head and the blur make it seem as though he is fleeing in fear, from my nearly forgotten dream. You can help save them with donations to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Before I read the description for the picture, when I saw the photograph.... my immediate feeling was of fear and sadness for these poor animals. How awful the poachers cannot, and do not know or care of the significance of what they are perpetrating on this animal! A powerful photograph Mr.Young.

powerful image here, where the imposing stature of this animal is literally witnessed through the movement captured - as for the pityful history of humanity so often, as regards to nature? utter shame is strongly felt.

What in hell have these beautiful animals come to, when their horns have to be cut so as to keep them alive! What have we as humans come to, to not realize what we kill them at will, and leave their numbers to dwindle dangerously, not seeming to care! I cannot see this picture without crying. Yes, I am a big animal lover. j.e.s.

Killing wild-life animals like elephants or dolphins or sharks etc for greedy profit is a sinful crime. This kind of deeds shall be comdamned by everyone of us, because it's so irresponsible and ruthless. We should against any products related to wild-life animals!